Shirley McClendon was born in Elkville, Illinois in April 1926. She moved to Deming New Mexico with her family as a child. Shirley graduated with honors from Hurley High School and decided to spend two winters in Chicago and St. Louis Missouri were she worked as a secretary/clerk. Realizing why her family had left those cold winters behind, she returned to Deming and worked at the Deming Army Air Force base where she met and married Wesley McClendon in Deming in 1947. Together they raised two children, built two homes, spent many good times with family and friends and cared for each other for 64 years. Shirley passed from this life on Wednesday January 17, 2018, in Truth or Consequences.

Shirley is survived by her daughter Janice Gray and her son-in-law Jack of Truth or Consequences, her granddaughter Tammy Carr of Colorado Springs, her grandsons Tommy Hess of Wasilla, Alaska and Dean Tulk of Truth or Consequences, three great grandchildren, Elise Stanek and Tyler Carr of Colorado Springs, Payton Hess of Wasilla, Alaska and one great-great grandson, Owen Stanek of Colorado Springs, her brother Jack Holmes of Las Cruces. Her three sisters-in law and many nieces and nephews will also remember her fondly.

Her husband, Wesley McClendon, son, Douglas McClendon, her mother Anna Holmes-Toney, father Cecil J. Holmes and a brother Alan Holmes, preceded Shirley in death.

A graveside service for Wesley and Shirley will be held Saturday January 27, 2018 at 11:00 am at Mountain View Cemetery in Deming, NM.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers that you help your family members in need and cherish each day you have with them.